Chelsea footballer Enzo Fernandez has been handed a driving ban after being convicted of two driving offences in South Wales. The 23-year-old midfielder, who is the most expensive footballer in Premier League history, was charged with failing to identify the driver of a Porsche Cayenne involved in motoring offences in Llanelli and Swansea. The vehicle was alleged to have run a red light in Llanelli on November 28 last year and was caught speeding in Swansea on December 20.
Despite no proof that Fernandez was driving the Porsche during these incidents, he was charged with two counts of failing to provide information about the driver. In a hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court in July, Fernandez was found guilty in his absence. The sentencing hearing, which took place on Wednesday, saw Fernandez receive a maximum fine for each offence, amounting to £1,000, plus additional costs to the police forces involved.
Magistrate Wyn Edwards imposed a total of 12 penalty points on Fernandez’s licence – six for each offence. With existing penalty points from previous offences, Fernandez now had 21 points on his licence, triggering an immediate six-month driving ban. Despite not attending the court hearing due to playing for Argentina in a World Cup Qualification match, Fernadez’s addresses were listed, including one in Kingston upon Thames.
Enzo Fernandez, an Argentine footballer, made headlines when he was signed by Chelsea in 2023 for a record fee of around £106.8 million. His absence from court did not prevent the magistrate from imposing the driving ban and substantial fines. Despite being one of the most promising football talents, his off-field conduct has led to legal repercussions.
It remains to be seen how this ban will affect his career with Chelsea and whether the club will take any action following this incident. Fernandez has not publicly commented on the matter, but his driving ban serves as a reminder that even the most high-profile individuals are subject to the law.